Power to cost 12% more in Punjab during 2012-13

Power consumers in Punjab will have to shell out more as regulator Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) has announced an average tariff increase of 12%. The hike, the second highest in five years, will be applicable to all categories of consumers for the 2012-13 fiscal.

Power consumers in Punjab will have to shell out more as regulator Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) on Monday announced an average tariff increase of 12%. The hike, the second highest in five years, will be applicable for all categories of consumers for the 2012-13 fiscal.

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Apart from this, a 10-paisa per unit tariff has also been levied on continuous process industry for the first time. It will be applicable from November 1 this year. Besides, a 4-paisa fuel surcharge for metered category and a Rs 2-per BHP on unmetered category (agriculture pumpsets) will also be levied on all categories on account of 20% rise in fuel cost.
"We are having an average increase of 12.08% across the board for 2012-13," PSERC chairperson Romila Dubey told reporters here.

The new tariff will be effective from April 1, 2012, Dubey said. "Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has been allowed to recover the arrears (arising out of the new tariff) in installments from consumers," she said.

The actual outgo for power consumers will be higher as Punjab also levies am electricity duty of 13% and 10-paisa per unit as octroi on energy consumption, exclusive of tariff rates. For small industrial consumers, the new tariff rate will be Rs 5.10-paisa per unit, a 12.09% increase. For medium and large industries, including arc and induction furnaces, the rate is Rs 5.61-paisa per unit.